Well. Here I am.
12 days away from launching on the World Race.
All day I’ve had the same thought replaying in my head: “how did I get here?”
Now, just to be clear, I know technically “how I got here”. The Lord clearly called me to put Graduate school on hold to go on the Race almost exactly one year ago, and I apprehensively said ‘yes’ not knowing that the year of preparation for the Race had so many things to teach me. I never could have imagined that in that year I would experience healing from past hurt; that hurt friendships would be restored; that I would experience death within my family; and that my family would be strengthened; that I would travel with college friends in a car packed full for 25 hours on a spur-of-the-moment trip; that I would experience Jesus and the Holy Spirit in ways that I didn’t even know were possible; that I would baptize my best friend; that I would fall in love; that I would laugh so much; that I would cry so much;
And as I sit here reminiscing, while savoring every sip of coffee with my favorite hazelnut creamer that I know I won’t have these next 11 months, I know that this is right where I need to be. That this awkward see-saw between wanting to spend as much time with family and friends as possible, and wanting to be alone; between wanting to eat as much of my favorite ice cream as possible, and not wanting to eat at all; between dreading the goodbyes, and being excited to get on the plane to India…that it’s all part of His perfect plan. That He knows the desires of my heart more than I ever will. And for that reason, I’m placing all my trust on Him. What that means, friends, is that I’m all in. I’m ready to dive in. I’m ready to go into this thing with no other expectation except to follow Jesus.
So, here we go. Ready or not, this thing is happening.
“And calling the crowd to him with his disciples, he said to them, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me” (Mark 8:34)
I want to say a huge thank-you to everyone who has helped me get to this point. Financially, prayerfully, spiritually, emotionally; whatever part you have played, it is appreciated. I’m about $350 away from being halfway funded for the Race! My main focus for fundraising these next 12 days is to find monthly supporters. I’m prayerfully looking to find 10 people (or families, small groups, etc.) to support me for just 6 months for $50 a month, and 20 people (or families, small groups, etc.) to support me for just 6 months for $25 a month. If this happens, I’ll be almost set to be funded! Also, I wouldn’t have to take days off from ministry while on the Race to fundraise. Please let me know if you’re interested!
